Overview

• François Bayrou's approval rating has dropped to 17%, nearing historic lows for a French Prime Minister, just four months into his tenure.
• Tensions between Bayrou and President Emmanuel Macron are escalating over the pace of reforms and critical budgetary decisions for 2026, which Bayrou has called 'impossible.'
• Bayrou is preparing for a mid-April public conference to address national debt and public finance concerns, aiming to regain public trust and outline his government's strategy.
• Criticism of Bayrou's leadership has grown within his coalition, including from Renaissance, MoDem, and Horizons, as allies accuse him of inaction and indecisiveness.
• The Prime Minister is attempting to balance political pressures by offering concessions on pensions to the left and proportional representation to the far-right, while navigating a fractured parliamentary landscape.